Food and ADHD

I read that some foods affect some peoples ADHD. Is there any truth in this? Have you found food that make your symptoms worse?

pinkmess

Does caffeine keep you awake? I remember the first time I had coffees was when I first started college and was trying to stay awake during class in the middle of the day. I got the jitters from it (and this was the only time that happed), but I still fought to stay awake. I drink coffee in the morning out of habit and I’ll sometimes have it at night when I can’t sleep. Other than that, I’ve never thought about what I eat or drink affecting my ADHD symptoms. I’ll try to pay attention more to that.

Rialc

Caffeine has become a regular daily drink for me, however on occasions when I don't drink it I feel more controlled in myself. Caffeine for me makes my mind race and if I have too much my thoughts fo so fast I find myself in a vicous circle of distraction and guilt over not doing things I feel I should be. I'm sure other foods do the same to me however I'm a little scared to work out which they ate incase they are my favourite foods haha

potatoes

Red 40 is the worst one for people with ADHD and also funny story I was allergic to it when I was a child made me break out and hives so anytime I wanted to stay home from school I just drink some grape Kool-Aid .

notagain

Are the dyes listed in the ingredients? I’ve never paid attention (no pun intended) to what was in what I’m eating. Meds help but I still feel like a hot mess most of the time. And exhausted.

Dyes are REALLY bad for behavioral and mental disorders. I watched the difference cutting them out has made in my niece and my son specifically, and my son almost certainly has ADHD.

jtree

I think avoiding sugar is a big one. Eating more protein and drinking water. Essentially just giving your brain a better starting point. About the caffeine - I have to have it in the morning, and I usually drink a caffeinated tea in the afternoons in lieu of an add’l medication. I couldn’t do the short acting stimulants. I agree that too much caffeine sets me off into “I can do everything!” While doing nothing correctly :P

Rialc

Hi Sahri, What is the name of the nutritionist you follow? I'd like to look them up :)

sahri

There’s a nutritionist that I follow that specializes in ADHD and she says that there are many changes you can make to your diet to make your brain work a little better. These can be as small as drinking more water to help cognitive function or eating more omega 3 fat (found in fish, for example) to improve brain function. I’m currently looking more into it to learn more, since I was recently diagnosed, but I can tell it’s a fascinating topic.

notagain

Who is the nutritionalist that you follow? Meds help but I need to figure out what to do to help.

msp3000

Instant coffee is killing me as well as pineapple. 😟 I can drink regular coffee without any problem.

Joelay

About the caffeine, I can't have it, I actually start having heart flutters and I get very tired and like, meh, if you get me?😅 Other than that, I haven't really paid attention to food in that way yet😅

Rialc

I did wonder about caffeine, maybe I should switch to decaff and see if I notice any differences

jensneon

I have a very limited diet because of some autoimmune diseases I have, but I do notice that if I have any caffeine above my normal levels that I get even more fidgety and off task.

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